Molecular Weight Marker Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (DNA, Protein, RNA Markers), By Application (PCR, Sequencing, Northern Blotting, Southern Blotting), By Type, & Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Report Overview

The global molecular weight marker market size was valued at USD 355.2 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at 14.1% over the forecast period. The increased popularity of personalized medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases and genetic disorders is a major factor contributing to the growth of the market. Personalized medicines involve the application of molecular weight markers for the study of an individual’s genome, genes, and diseases. Thus, the growing adoption of personalized medicines along with an escalating focus on molecular biology research is expected to boost the demand for molecular weight marker products.

Technological advancement in molecular biology products, such as PCR and NGS along with high-quality molecular weight marker is another major factor contributing toward growth. The recent advancement in these products enables the provision of a clearer background and sharp bands. Thus, the demand for molecular weight marker products is expected upsurge in the near future, which is expected to boost growth.

Molecular Weight Marker Market Trends

The increasing investment by pharmaceutical companies in molecular biology research and development, as well as development in proteomics research and genomics, will drive the market in the near future. For instance, the Magnotta Foundation contributed approximately USD 1.4 million to Lyme disease research using molecular markers. The University of Leeds invested USD 21.25 million in structural biology research, which is expected to involve the use of molecular markers in research activities in more than 50% of the cases. Massive investments in research in specialized areas involving molecular markers, as well as a growing emphasis on molecular research biology, are expected to fuel market growth.

Gene mutations are important in the cause and progression of diseases and disorders, including metabolic diseases, immune system disorders, cancer, and in-born genetic disorders. Thus, researchers make use of detailed knowledge of the human genome to better understand the cause and origin of specific diseases and disorders and accordingly develop treatment plans. The growing number of genome initiatives and projects globally, combined with lower genetic analysis costs, aids in the advancement of research in areas including disease treatment, microbial genetics, and personalized medicine, which is expected to further drive the market.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have grown as a result of an increase in demand for treatment drugs and vaccines facilitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the rise in genetic and chronic disorders worldwide, demand for personalized medicines is expected to increase, opening up new market growth opportunities. The lack of experienced researchers to research and use molecular markers, on the other hand, is expected to be a barrier to the molecular weight marker industry.

Product Insights

On the basis of the product, the market is segmented into DNA markers, protein markers, and RNA markers. In 2016, the DNA markers segment was the largest revenue-grossing segment and is estimated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Rising R&D activities related to genomics research boosts the demand for DNA markers for genome mapping.

The protein markers segment is expected to display lucrative growth during the forecast period, due to the rising application of these products for proteomics study. The researchers and biotechnology companies are focusing on the application of proteomics study for new drug discovery and clinical diagnostics.

Type Insights

Based on the type, the market has been segmented into prestained, unstained, and specialty markers. Prestained markers were the highest revenue-generating segment in 2016, due to the large application of this product for genomics and proteomics research.

The unstained markers segment is projected to showcase significant growth during the study period. This is due to its ability to provide more accurate molecular weight determinations of the sample over a wide molecular weight range. Thus, the popularity of this product is increasing, which is expected to propel the growth of the market.

Application Insights

Molecular weight marker has applications in nucleic acid and proteomics study. The nucleic acid segment dominated the sector in 2016 due to an increasing focus on DNA- and RNA-based research. The rising demand for advanced diagnostics and therapeutics products has led to an increased focus on genomics research.

The proteomics application segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment by 2025. Escalating application of western blotting and gel extraction for proteomics research including drug discovery & clinical diagnostics drives the growth of the market.

End-Use Insights

The academic & research institutes segment held the largest revenue share due to rising funding for molecular biology research by private and government organizations. There is a growing focus on research-based on genomics such as genotyping, cytogenomics, gene expression, epigenetic analysis, and transcriptome analysis, which is boosting the application of molecular weight markers in academic & research institutes.

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment is expected to witness significant CAGR over the forecast period due to the rising investment in R&D for new drug development. Hence, there is an increasing need for molecular weight markers in these companies, which is projected to propel the growth of the market.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the molecular weight markers industry with the largest revenue share, owing to the presence of many large research laboratories and biotechnology firms such as CELGENE CORP. and Amgen Inc. in this region. In addition, the highly developed healthcare and research infrastructure in this region have fueled market growth.

Asia Pacific is estimated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the rising focus of CROs and biotechnology companies in this region for drug discovery and development. The CROs are focusing on Asian countries such as China and India for clinical trials owing to less stringent government regulations and the availability of skilled professionals. These are some of the factors projected to boost regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is competitive in nature as major players are involved in new product development, mergers, collaborations, acquisitions, and regional expansion to aid market penetration. Increasing adoption of outsourcing is expected to increase industry rivalry in the near future. Strategic acquisitions help companies to expand their existing product portfolio and geographical reach. For instance, in November 2015, Merck KGaA completed the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. for USD 17 billion to strengthen its life science business.

Recent Developments

• In February 2022, Moderna, Inc. and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. announced their strategic collaboration agreement to operate a large-scale manufacturing unit of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S., along with several other mRNA medicines

• In May 2022, Agilent Technologies, Inc. collaborated with APC Ltd., combining their technologies and working towards a real-time process monitoring solution, enabling workflow that supports automated process analysis with the use of liquid chromatography for consumers

• In May 2022, F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. developed a unique PCR test to detect the monkeypox virus, which is anticipated to help in following its contagious spread

• In June 2021, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. partnered with Seegene, Inc., for the commercialization and development of infectious disease molecular diagnostic products. This agreement will enable Bio-Rad Laboratories to provide required diagnostic testing products to U.S. markets

Some prominent players in the industry include:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

• Merck KGaA; Agilent Technologies

• QIAGEN

• TAKARA BIO, INC.

• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

• Promega Corp

• New England Biolabs

Molecular Weight Marker Market Report Scope

Global Molecular Weight Marker Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the molecular weight marker market on the basis of product, type, application, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • DNA markers

    • Below 50 bp

    • 50 bp to 100 bp

    • 100 bp to 1 kb

    • 1 kb to 5 kb

    • Above 5 kb

  • Protein markers

    • Below 10 kDa

    • 10 k Da to 100 kDa

    • 100 k Da to 200 kDa

    • Above 200 kDa

  • RNA markers

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Prestained markers

  • Unstained markers

  • Specialty markers

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Nucleic acid applications

    • PCR

    • Sequencing

    • Northern blotting

    • Southern blotting

    • Molecular cloning

    • Others

  • Proteomics applications   

    • Western blotting

    • Gel extraction

    • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Academic and research institutes

  • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

  • CRO's

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • The U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • MEA

    • South Africa